11 Crucial Considerations When Specifying Radiator Guards

Choosing the right radiator guard is about more than just protecting people from heat.

In healthcare, education, mental health, custodial and public environments, the specification of radiator guards can have a direct impact on safety, hygiene, durability, and even maintenance costs. Whether you’re a specifier, architect, estates team, or procurement lead, getting this right from the start can reduce future risks and create safer, more efficient spaces.

In this blog, we’ll introduce 11 key considerations to keep in mind when specifying radiator guards, each of which will be covered in more detail in our upcoming posts.

1. Construction & Material Thickness

It all starts with the build quality. Choosing the right material thickness, such as 1.5mm Zintec or Magnelis steel, can provide long-term robustness. For high-risk or demanding environments, upgrading to 2mm steel and/or incorporating strengthening struts can help guards resist damage and tampering.

2. Design Model Suitability

Not all guards are created equal. Some designs are tailored for anti-ligature environments, while others focus on ease of access or budget-friendliness. For example, Contour’s DeepClean Extra includes a full frame anti-ligature design, whereas the Covora Lite provides a cost-effective LST solution for low-risk areas.

3. Safe Edges and Corners

Guards with sharp edges and corners can cause injury or be used as ligature points. All Contour guards include rounded radius edges and bullnosed corners, reducing both the risk of harm and the opportunity for misuse.

4. Grille Design

Airflow is essential, but not at the expense of safety. Poorly placed or sharp-edged grilles (including mesh or over-the-front-edge styles) can create a cheese-grater effect. Contour guards feature pencil-proof or anti-ligature grilles, punched directly into the steel during manufacture for long-term strength and hygiene.

5. Fixings and Tamper Resistance

External fixings not only look untidy, but they can also invite interference. All Contour guards use internal fixings as standard, with anti-tamper variants available for high-security environments. Even when an external side fixing is required, we recommend using cap covers to minimise risk.

6. Locks and Security Access

Different environments require different levels of access control. From the Secure compression anti-ligature cam lock on DeepClean Extra to PinHex locks on the standard DeepClean, Contour offers tailored locking solutions that balance ease of access for staff with robust tamper resistance.

7. TRV Integration

A good radiator guard works with your temperature control system - not against it. Contour guards can be manufactured with pre-cut access for external, internal, and anti-ligature TRV kits, including remote sensor options and protective shrouds.

8. Cleaning & Maintenance Access

Infection prevention and operational efficiency depend on regular cleaning. Contour’s patented drop-down door lies flat on the floor, enabling hotel and estates teams to access radiators easily, often by a single authorised person, without removing the guard entirely.

9. Installation Type: Wall or Floor Mounted; Sloping or Flat Top

Depending on site conditions and safety requirements, guards can be wall-mounted or floor-mounted, with either a sloping or flat top. Contour offers all options. If specifying wall-mounted guards in anti-ligature settings, we recommend positioning them at least 300mm from the floor.

10. Hygiene: Biocote® Anti-microbial Coating

All Contour guards come with a Biocote® infused powder coating, offering long-term anti-microbial protection. This significantly reduces surface bacteria, mould and fungi - ideal for healthcare and sterile environments.

11. Quality Over Budget

In safety-critical environments, a cheap radiator guard can be a costly mistake. Investing in quality reduces the risk of damage, injury, infection, and future replacement. A well-specified guard offers long-term value that budget products rarely match.

Final Thought

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into each of these points to help you make informed, specification-led decisions that prioritise safety, hygiene, and reliability.

Need help specifying radiator guards for your next project?

Speak to the experts at Contour Heating today.

Contact our team to discuss your requirements, get a tailored quote, or book a free site survey:
📞 Call us on 01952 290498
📧 Email sales@contourheating.co.uk

Plan ahead and protect more than just your glazing.